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Monday, September 21, 2015

Update on Ben Seewald's Career

With her due date only six weeks away, Jessa Seewald gave us an update on her pregnancy and how she and Ben are preparing for parenthood. She also shared her hubby's career plans.

What has Ben been up to career/school wise? Jessa: Ben graduated in May from National Park College in his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and since then, has been looking into options for Seminary. He decided to take a break from his studies for this semester since we have a little one due Nov. 1st, but he plans to move forward next year. In the meantime, Ben continues to work for my dad, who, along with my Grandma Duggar, runs a real estate business. Now that I and many of my siblings are involved, our family business is in its 5th generation!*

I think it’s so awesome when families have the opportunity to work together as a team like this!
There’s a whole variety of work involved, and it’s always encouraging to see everyone’s ideas come together and a project come to completion. My dad buys some pretty decent fixer-uppers, and the whole family takes part in remodeling and fixing up buildings and houses to either rent or resell.
We try to do as much of the work as we can ourselves, as there are a whole variety of different skills right within the family.

For instance, Jinger, Joe, and Joy make a dynamic tile-laying team; Jana has a particularly good eye for interior design; Josiah and I have helped my dad with the business bookkeeping and accounting; John is skilled in operating heavy equipment; several have gotten their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) so they can drive big rigs like the dump truck and rollback; and many of my siblings have learned framing, siding, roofing, as well as how to deal with plumbing and electrical issues. Then of course, when the grass is growing, there is lots of lawn care to be done, as well!
This summer I’ve been able to join the work crew on most lawn care days.

I love getting to share extra time with my man, and I’ve always enjoyed operating one of those zero-turn mowers! (Of course I’m extra careful being preggo and all.)

*The Duggars' real estate business was started by JT Duggar, Jim Bob's great-grandfather, so Jessa and her siblings are the fifth generation to carry it on.

I love to hear about the family business. I'm in real estate also. My husband and I have bought a few residential properties and they are lots of honest work. Hard work and acting your wage helps to get you ahead.

Thanks for the newsy update, Jessa. Almost feels like we just got to watch another episode of '19 Kids' ... Please consider blogging. Your writing skills are first rate and there is definitely a following that would gravitate to your site. Monetize it with ads (BlogHer comes to mind) and it could become a very lucrative outlet that would provide an informative outreach ministry from a young woman's perspective.

Thanks for the update Jessa. Sounds like everyone is busy with their share in the family business. Hope all goes well for your delivery. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your little one. Prayers to you and Ben for a healthy baby.

Since Ben isn't involved in traditional employment at this time, what kind of medical insurance do these two have? What kind of prenatal care is Jessa receiving and who will deliver her child? How will they pay for this? One would think that with a child about to be born, a father would be concentrating MORE on income for the family and it's financial future; not taking a break from education and working a non traditional job. I'm not being sarcastic, just stating what is usually done in this circumstance...how are they able to manage financially? Do any of her siblings doing the "trade industry" types of work actually have certified training other than truck driving and are they actually paid for their work, like Joy, and Josiah, and Jana?

My goodness. It's none of our business. I'm sure they have everything under control. What would you have to say if a stranger walked up to you with the same questions you are asking someone you don't know. Just a thought, just take care of your life. Worry about making yourself a better person before you try to fix everyone else. God bless

Jessa I belive you have a beauti family..please do the research on vaccines before you allow your childen to get them.You take such good care of yourself as you are pregnant dont make the mistake of allowing those poisons into their lityle bodies God bless you

Jessa has book royalties and they both get paid for appearing on the show and he wirks for his father inlaw and she does bookeeping. Im sure they have insurance and if not they can afford to pay cash..Jim Dugger is worth 5 million..anot to mention that those kids had money set aside for them when they appeared on the show as kids..hope this answers your questions

Have you all considered getting doing an internet reality show. You could feature your DIY (do it yourself) and flipping skills. We could see you all renovate, too. I'd pay to subscribe or you could get sponsors and offer to the public free. It would give you full control over content, too. Just an idea for you all.

good luck with that young one, you will be busy.are you planning on going into the ministry? wish you could have your own show. would be nice to keep up with what is going on with the girls and their families.one thing is for sure that is going to be one gorgeous little baby,.after all it will have good looking parents

Ben should check out Midwestern Baptist Theological seminary in Kansas city for seminary. We have some of the best professors in there fields. We also have an MDiv that is online. Www.mbts.edu Blessings.

Sorry I use anonymous because I am not sure what the others are .Just Happy everyone is doing well excited for the baby to arrive have you picked a name yet and are you going with initials?oops in the future

Rumors have it that the Duggars have lost support from their followers...That couldn't be more from the truth. We continue to pray for you everyday and wait for the day that you will be back on TV, which we have faith will happen. God bless you all!

Wow, thats incredible. So many families would call themselves lucky to be able to be that skilled and for the chance for them to work together on a daily a basis.I would love that, all my siblings are scattered throughout the U.S.:-( So many families cant even get along for the holidays together. I really hope all the negative folks dont pick this latest post apart.

It is pleasantly surprising to read about the Duggar family's work. Most of what is shared makes the kids - the girls in particular - seem as if they are waiting around for marriage or babies. Able-bodied people should always be working and contributing. It would be good for fans to see more of this.

I think it's awesome that they are working in the family business. For anyone doubting that their family has worked in real estate for 5 generations, it's very easy to prove. You can see Jim Bob's great-great grandfather J T Duggar listed in the 1940 census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQ2J-MCB His occupation in 1940 was sales agent in real estate. If that link doesn't work, just go to Family Search and search for James Thaddeus Duggar. No membership is needed to see the 1940 census. He was born in 1888 in Arkansas. I bet JT would be so happy to see his great-great-great-grandchildren following in his footsteps.

I do genealogy as a hobby and my ancestors were neighbors of JT Duggar. You can see Jessa's great-great grandfather in the 1940 Census on familysearch.org How cool that Jessa is carrying on tradition by working in the family business!

Glad to get an update and glad everyone is doing well. Congrats to Jill on her finished training. And their Mission work which I will continue to support as I can. God bless all of you. Prayers for Josh and Anna and healing.

Jessa and Ben, I don't know if you have looked into The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, but my husband and I just moved to Louisville to attend there, and I can't say enough good about it. Of all the schools we looked at, this one goes above and beyond to take care of seminary families. There are date night opportunities twice a month, and lots of festivals and cookouts for for families. You also recieve half off tuition if you attend a southern baptist church, and there is a seminary wives institute that meets once a week for only $10 a semester. Definitely worth looking into! :) Congrats on your growing family, may the Spirit lead where yall need to be!

@AnonymousIf you had followed Jessa's narrative you would have discovered that the family owned and operated real estate business includes buying and refurbishing properties. All of the kids mentioned work for the family business and are paid. In fact, Ben hired on to work for Jim Bob before he married Jessa. This family is very self sufficient - and they have all developed skills that are serving them well.

Love hearing the family is doing well. Keep the updates coming. How is Jana? I wish she would start her own blog. I have always thought she is a precious person and would like to see her share more about what she's up to. God bless you all!!

Ben, I attended seminary and loved every minute of it. The classes aren't easy, but they are more than worth all the work. It is so important to be an educated minister, to give accountability and to do faithful, intelligent, honest preaching and pastoral work. Always remember that God is calling you to do Christ's work and attend seminary, so God will be your biggest supporter on your seminary journey. Many blessings and I hope you will keep us updated when you choose a sem.

I love the idea of a family business, very common among recent immigrants to the us. But I also wonder how the adult members who live out from under the support of the patents are paid. Would the duggrs be willing to share how they handle that? Thanks much.

I think that is great! I do think plumbing and electrical should only be done by licensed and certified people if you are going to flip a house. This might be something the duggars can apprentice and study for.

Jessa, you and your siblings are indeed fortunate to have a family business to lean on. Wondering if you, and the others who are old enough, are currently, or are in the process of becoming licensed real estate agents? Life can throw any of us a curveball at any moment and it's a tremendous advantage to be able to have a way to take care of yourself and your family. In today's world, many mom's have planned for, and are fully prepared for, a future that is unknown to all of us. Most women raising young children today are educated and have often times chosen to put career plans on hold until their babies are of school age. It's so important to be prepared at a moments notice for whatever the future may bring. Prayer and faith of course is important and comforting butcan't pay the bills. The Lord has given each of the necessary tools but has left the choice up to us. Jessa, it became obvious to me from watching your tv show that you, especially, were blessed with a gift for education and teaching. Had you been guided toward the areas in which you excel, you would have been, and could still be, an amazing teacher to hundreds of students deserving of a good education. I am just an old grandmother who would be sad to see you walk away from God given talents. Of course I cannot see your heart's true direction, and don't pretend to. But based on observation, becoming a teacher seems to be a better fit and better choice for you than fixing up and flipping houses in a family business that appears to already have enough helpers. I think you are capable of so much more than that.

Jessa, I am so very happy for you. You look so radiant. You beam with such joy....Loving seeing you So much in love and so eager for your baby's arrival. So cute. Life is so good to you. Ben is such a decent guy. I know You will have such a wonderful family on your own, I am certain of you. Wishing you and Ben all the best. Am glad to see you and Ben are planning for the future. Education is still very important. Go for it Ben. And spread the word of God. He has risen and He made a difference. Heaven waits. God Bless.

I'm so glad for your update. I sure miss watching you all on TV. I know God is Blessing all of you. I can't wait for baby Seewald to get here. I hope they air a show when you have him/her. May God Bless You all. You Go Ben and Jessa.

Cathy P- I am missing the show soooo much. God had his hand all over that show. Whenever you're in the center of God's will the enemy is going to attack every chance that he gets. That is what has happened here. But God is not through with the Duggars yet. I am soooo thankful that I recorded a lot of the episodes. I now have both of the engagements and both of the weddings. I still watch them every once in a while. I am praying for a safe and speedy delivery of your precious baby. I will be looking everywhere for pictures! God bless you and Ben as you raise this child for God's glory. I know you will be the best parents ever! Many many of us love you and are behind you 100%! God is still in control!!! BLESSINGS! <3

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.